Reclaiming Our Seeds, Securing Our Future: Why Indigenous Farming Must Be Protected

A friend recently shared an article calling for signatures on a petition to stop farmers from being jailed for using indigenous seeds.

It immediately caught my attention—not just because of the injustice, but because these seeds have been the backbone of our communities, economies, and health for generations. Indigenous crops are resilient, deeply adapted to our climate, and provide affordable, nutritious food for millions across Africa. Yet, instead of supporting farmers who preserve this legacy, policies are being designed to criminalize them.

This is more than a debate about seeds—it concerns food security, climate resilience, and economic independence. Climate change is already threatening Africa’s ability to feed itself, with erratic rainfall, droughts, and declining soil fertility. At a time when we should be strengthening our food systems with crops that have stood the test of time, we are instead allowing capitalism and corporate interests to dictate what we grow, eat, and depend on.

We must do better. We need policies that empower farmers, protect indigenous knowledge, and prioritize Africa’s agricultural future over profit-driven agendas. Our continent cannot afford to forget its roots. The future of food security in Africa depends on our choices today.

Due to new policies, Kenya's food production has shifted, negatively impacting small-scale farmers. The move away from indigenous seeds, once a source of food abundance, towards corporate-controlled seeds has led to debt and food insecurity. Traditional seeds, adapted to the climate and seasons, previously ensured plentiful harvests. However, the current capitalist system disadvantages local farmers with a lack of incentives and reliance on costly corporate seeds.

For years, Africa’s indigenous seeds have been sidelined in favor of commercial, hybrid varieties—often marketed as "improved" but requiring farmers to buy new seeds every planting season. However, as climate change disrupts rainfall patterns and worsens food insecurity, the wisdom of our traditional farming practices is becoming undeniable.

“We realize that some of the traditional varieties that we had abandoned then are more resilient to climate change, so when you introduce them, especially in marginal areas, those varieties outperform the improved varieties,” said Desterio Nyamongo, director of the Genetic Resources Research Institute. This statement underscores what many farmers have long known: indigenous crops are not just part of our history; they are key to our survival. Instead of criminalizing farmers for preserving these seeds, we should be strengthening policies that protect and promote them.

As restrictive seed laws threaten farmers' ability to plant indigenous crops, community seed programs have emerged as a powerful resistance. These initiatives enable farmers to preserve, exchange, and cultivate traditional seed varieties that are better suited to local climates and ecosystems. Unlike commercial hybrid seeds that require farmers to buy new stock each season, indigenous seeds can be saved and replanted, reducing dependency on costly corporate-controlled seed markets.

Organizations like Seed Savers Network Kenya and various farmer cooperatives are working to establish community seed banks. These seed-sharing systems preserve genetic diversity and strengthen farming communities by fostering collaboration and reducing reliance on expensive inputs.

Yet, despite their success, community seed programs face growing threats from restrictive agricultural policies. Seed laws in Kenya, for example, prohibit the sale of uncertified seeds, a rule that disproportionately affects smallholder farmers who rely on indigenous crops. Such policies, often influenced by corporate interests, prioritize profit over food sovereignty and climate resilience.

To truly address food insecurity and climate change, Africa must embrace policies that protect and promote indigenous farming. Governments should support community-seed initiatives instead of penalizing farmers for sustaining agricultural traditions that have fed generations. The future of our continent’s food security depends on recognizing the value of what we already have—our land, our knowledge, and our seeds.

The fight for indigenous seeds is about more than agriculture—it’s about sovereignty, survival, and legacy. For centuries, African farmers have grown resilient crops that sustain families and adapt to climate change. Yet, restrictive policies and corporate influence now threaten what has always been ours. If capitalism dictates our food systems, we risk losing not just seeds but our independence and food security. As climate change worsens, the solution lies not in profit-driven agriculture but in the traditional knowledge that has sustained Africa for generations.